Friday, April 1, 2016

Cover Reveal: Not Afraid to Love You by Jude Ouvrard

Lilly McCarthy thought she had found the one, until an unexpected side of Dave left her body bruised and her pride hurt.

Living in fear, she knows she has to do something before the unimaginable happens. A timely phone call provides Lilly a means to escape but is her family prepared to face her nightmares?

While Lilly takes the time to heal and regain control of her life, an unexpected source of support appears in the form of her brother's best friend - and her old crush - Lennox.

Lilly hesitates to take on a new relationship, but Lennox is not giving up. He wants Lilly to find her way and be herself again, the relaxed and easygoing girl she used to be.

Can the love of a good man convince this scared and frightened woman to trust again? Or is it only going to push her away?

Sitting back in my sister’s luxurious car, I let her drive us to the restaurant. My stomach keeps growling and it’s getting embarrassing. I’m on edge, my eyes following every person on the sidewalk and looking at every building we come across.

She finally parks her car in a large lot almost filled to capacity. I’ve seen this place before but I never went inside. The Spot, that’s what they call it, I remember.

Matthew nudges his sister. “Are you even old enough to get inside?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all under control.”

Stepping out of the car, I follow them to the entrance. The security guy hugs my sister as they chitchat. How does she know him? I don’t understand. This place requires you to be twenty-one and she isn’t, yet.

When we walk inside, it hits me. The place is full of men in uniform…Air Force guys. This has to be where she met her boyfriend. Some of the guys nod at her, some wave.

“Hey Ab. Logan isn’t out yet.”

“I know. I came with my brother and sister.” The guy’s eyes zoom in on mine and he winks. Heat surges to my cheeks. Why am I blushing? Matthew subtlety steps in front of me.

“Hey Matthew.” They shake hands and engage in some small talk.

“Meet my sister, Lilly. She just moved back to town today.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Carlos.” We shake hands but I can’t look him in the eyes. I avoid him and it must look stupid. Maybe going out tonight wasn’t a good idea, after all. I’m not ready for this. He lets my hand go.

“Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?” For someone so tall and big, he has the most comforting voice but I can’t do this.

“I… uh… I.” I stuttered.

“No, it’s okay. She’s been through a lot. We’re just going to go sit and eat. I’ll talk to you later.” Abbey takes control of the situation. She’s now in protector mode too.

I order a club sandwich, which I plan to eat all of and no doubt quickly because I’m so hungry. As well as that I order a beer, my first beer since I moved away from here because Dave only ever drank wine. I am going to savor every drop of it. Only now as I relax, it strikes me why I am so hungry, I haven’t eaten all day.

Fifteen minutes later, our food arrives and I think I’m going to pass out if I don’t start eating now. Matthew is already cutting into his steak while Abbey digs into her pasta bowl. My mouth’s full, I probably have one quarter of my sandwich packed inside my mouth. Way to go, Lilly.

“Hey guys.”

“Hey man. Sit with us.” Matthew offers the seat next to him, which is also next to me. I hurry and try to swallow the damn sandwich. “Do you remember my sister, Lilly?”

Trying to look normal, I turn to him with a fake smile. I do know him. My first high school crush. Lennox Love. My brother’s best friend until he moved away to Seattle.

My smile turns real and honest. “Lennox, hi.”

“Hi, long time no see.”

I think I’m going to faint. Many nights while I shared my bed with Dave, I thought about him. Wondering where he was, what he was doing. Would I ever see him again?

There was nothing normal about my crush on him. Well, unless crying for two days when he moved away is normal?

Jude Ouvrard is an author who writes from the heart, and reads with passion and devotion. Jude enjoys stories of drama, true love, tattoos, and everything in between. While writing is her therapy, reading is her solace. Life doesn't get better than books and chocolate, and maybe a little bit of shopping.

A romance lover, Jude writes about love, pain, heartbreak and matters that will challenge your heart. A book can tell an unexpected story, no matter which directions it takes. Jude embraces words that have haunted her for years.

Jude is a working mom who dedicates her time to a law firm and writing books. She has an energetic superhero son, and a supportive boyfriend of many years. Her family is her rock; she could not survive without them. Born a country girl, she transformed into a city woman who now lives in Montreal, Canada. Although French is her first language, Jude decided to write in English because she liked the challenge.

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